Cultivator



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.. A. W. BUTT.

' OULTIVATORQ No. 491,797. Patented Feb. 14, 1893.

1 INVENTOR WITNE W10. 2M

UNTTEE STATES PATENT EETQE. I

ADDISON WV. BUTT, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO FRANCES G. BUTT OFSAME PLACE.

CU LTIVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 491,797, dated February14, 1893.

Application filed July 30, 1892. Serial No. 441,667. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADDISON W. BUTT, a citizen of the United States.residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cultivators, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements incultivators, and consists in the arrangement and construction of partsfor securing leverage in operating the beams of the cultivator up anddown and sidewise, the peculiarities and advantages of which will behereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings on which like reference letters indicatecorresponding parts: Figure 1, represents a plan view of the rear of acultivator having my improvements attached thereto: Fig. 2, a side viewof one of the beams taken on the line a: a: of Fig. 1: Fig. 3, detail,plan and side views of a beam support and attaching horn; and Fig. 4, aside view of the other beam taken on theline y y Fig. 1.

In the operation of a cultivator, it is often difficult to move the hoessidewise and out of the ground, when deeply buried therein. In any eventthe amount of force necessarily applied to the handles of the beam isconsiderable, rendering it difflcult of operation in many cases bypersons of ordinary strength.

It is the object of the present improvements, to so diminish theoperative force applied to the handles of the beams, that the sameeffect and operation of the hoes may be secured with a minimum amount ofexertion on the part of the operator,whereby a boy may be employed torun the cultivator with the same facility that a man could operate oneof the ordinary type not supplied by my improvements. I have illustratedone construction, however, whereby my object is attained, and in theaccompanying drawings the letter A designates the axle or arch of acultivator supported by the carrying Wheels B and provided with theordinary attachments for securing a horse or other draft animal thereto.In order to facilitate the understanding and construction of myimprovements, I have shown one beam with the means for securing leveragein guiding, and the other beam with the means for securing leverried bya pipe box H, shown and in detail in Fig. 3. A backward extension I,affords a pivotal point of support for a spring rod J carrying a springK which acts in the usual manner to assist the raising of the beam, byextending itself when the beam is raised to ward the dotted position inFig. 2. The hook bar L supports the beam when thus raised in theordinary style. my improvements to this beam I provide horns or pointsof attachment M, preferably extending from the pipe box II, as shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, to which are attached rods 0, or other connections,between said horns and a movable plate P pivoted at Q to the bracket E,and provided with the usual handle R for manipulating the beams. In theordinary form this handle is fixed to the beam. In my form the handle isrotatable on its pivot Q, and provided with extensions P to which saidrods or connections 0, from horns M, are attached as shown in Figs. 1and 2. These rods are crossed and the handle R together with the plate,P, constitutes a double lever fulcru med at Q, to the rods 0 from saidlever to the point of attachment at the horns M, effect a swinging orguiding action of the beam when the handle R is moved sidewise. The rodsbeing crossed and suitably adjusted, will allow the beam to swing to itscenter G, at the same time the handle It moves about its fulcrum Q. Theleverage obtained may be varied by adjusting the rods 0 in the holesshown in the extensions 19. This leverage is increased the nearer theattachment of the rods or connections is made to the center pivot Q,since the leverage is proportional to the length of the handle R and thedistance of the attachment of the rod from the center pivot Q which isthe fulcrum of the double armed lever. This leverage has been ascer- Inthe application of tained to be, in the size of lever tested, as fiftypounds is to ten pounds; this force or obstruction of fifty pounds atthe hoe, can be moved by a pressure of ten pounds at the end of thehandle R. Ordinarily, with the handle fixed to the beam, the movingforce would be about thirty pounds under the same circumstances andconditions. This represents an amount of labor saved in the constantoperation of guiding the beam, which can be readily appreciated. Notonly does it render the guiding of the hoes easier, but it allows of theoperation of the same by one who would otherwise be of insufficientstrength, whereby a boy can do the work of a man with my improvementsand much easier. By the adjustment of the connections in the plateextensions p, the leverage may be adapted to the requirements or desireof the operator. The swinging of the handles to produce the samemovement of the hoes, is easier, the nearer the attachment of theconnections 0 is made to the pivot Q.

The horns M from the pipe box H present points of attachment whichshould be in the line .2 through the axis of the stud G, as indicated inFig. 3 when in the preferred construction. The forward ends of theguiderod connections 0, may, however, be otherwise attached, such as tosome other part of the pipe-box or frame, if so desired; and the hornsthemselves may project from other portions of the frame than thepipe-box, to the required position or point of attachment. I do notlimit myself therefore to any particular construction or arrangement inthis portion of my device but claim it broadly.

\Vhile rods or links have been shown as forming the connection betweenthe double armed lever and the horns, it is evident that chains maybesimilarly employed; also while the action of the handle R is to pull onthe links 0, a single link or straight bar may be employed as aconnection in place of the crossed rods, and a pull and push transmittedthrough the bar connection to the horn or point of attachment. It willbe observed that the point of attachment provided by the horn M is atone side, or eccentric to the vertical axis of the stud G. If it be onthe stud G it is concentric with the axis thereof, no rotative eifectwould be given to the plate P; the farther the said pivot is locatedfrom said axis, thus the greater the eccentricity, the greater rotativeeffect it will have on the plate P, under the same circumstances. Asabove remarked, however, the leverage depends on the ratio of the lengthof the handle R and the distance of the rear end of the connection, fromthe fulcrum pivot Q. Thus it will be seen that a great advantage inguiding the hoes is secured by this construction and arrangement ofparts. If from any cause, however, it be desired to fix the handle R, sothat it may operate the beam in the usual way, the plate P may bereadily coupled to the bracket by inserting a bolt or pin in a hole (1matching a similar hole or recess in the bracket E, thereby fixing thehandle as in the ordinary construction. This may be done in case ofbreakage or from any other cause.

In the operation of the cultivator between and around the hills of corn,the hoes are constantly guided from one side to the other, in and out,and up and down, to avoid rooting out the corn- I have described theoperation of the lever guide and will now proceed to describe a leverlift, whereby the same easy raising of the beam is secured as thesidewise operation thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that thebeam-branches, on that side of the frame, are shown without the liftingspring and rod. In place of this ordinary device, I provide a leverhandle R which is pivoted at S, to the plate P, to allow of the verticalmovement of the handle. Attached to the lower end of the handle is asegment or disk T, grooved, or otherwise adapted to engage with a chainU, or other flexible connection, the other end of which is attached tosome fixed point, such as an eyebolt V, in the top of the stud G. Thebeam can thus swing laterally without changing the length of theconnection U. The eye bolt V or other piece to which the forward end ofthe connection U is attached, may be supported from some other part ofthe frame than the stud G, but the point of attachment should lie in theaxis of the stud. The lower end of the handle R is bifurcated orotherwise adapted to embrace a ratchet segment I of the plate I, and apawl W operated by a finger catch near the upper end of the handle, iskept in engagement with said ratchet by a spring Z). By lifting thehandle R the pawl will engage with the corresponding ratchet tooth, andthe segment or disk '1, will wind up the chain thereon, thus shorteningthe connection and lifting the beam and hoes. The leverage obtainedenables this to be done very easily, on account of the ratio between thelength of the handle R, andthe radius of the segment '1. The pivotalpoint of the plate P should be directly below the axis of the pivot S,whereby the movement of the handle R side-wise will not influence theconnection U. This connection may be partly flexible and partly rigid,as by the chain and link shown, or it may be otherwise constructed. Itwill be observed that the lateral movement of the handle R is effectedby the construction previously described and applied to the other beam,and that the lifting action and side-wise motion may both beaccomplished independently of each other, as well as in conjunction; auniversal movable action of the beam is thus secured which action isrendered very easy on account of the leverage obtained by theconstruction above described. By practical operation and tests, it hasbeen found that this lever lift gives more than twice the effect of thepower applied to the handle. Thus no material ebstruction is exerted bythe earth on the hoes, either to the vertical motion or the sidewisemovement of the same. In order to support the hoes out of the ground, itis only necessary to raise the handle B, when the ratchet W' willsupport the same automatically at the desired point of elevation.Furthermoreif it be desired to take but aslight cut or cultivate to acertain depth in the ground it is only necessary to adjust the hoes tothat depth, and then swing them sidewise as may be desired. They willtherefore operate back and forth in a certain plane without going deeperor above said plane unless the handle be raised. This function is notpossessed by the other or ordinary style of mounting the beam. It willbe seen that the supporting hook L is therefore unnecessary. The hoes intheir elevated position are shown in Fig. 4 dotted.

It will be observed that the lever lift may be operated with or withoutthe lever guide mechanism. And that when the plate P is prevented fromswinging by the insertion of a-pin or bolt in the hole (1 the liftingmechanism is unaffected by this stoppage of the guiding mechanism. Alsoit will be observed that while each is independent of the other,

both may be operated in combination and without interfering. For thisreason it is preferred that the points of attachment of the connections0, that is the outer ends of the horns M, should lie substantially inthe horizontal axis on which the beam moves vertically. This is shown inFig. t in which the center of the horizontal axis is seen to coincidewith, or pass through, the points M when the beam is in its normalposition as shown. The connections 0 are never shortened or lengthenedby the up and down motion of the beam. This is quite essential to theperfect operation of the device and I lay claim specially thereto.

It will be seen from Figs. 2 and 4 that the plate P pivoted to theswinging beam, the ends M of the horns, and the pivot G of the swingingbeam, are located substantially in the same common level plane. Theadvantage of this is that the stress on the plate P in rotating itisexerted in'one plane, without a tendency to twist the beam on the axis Gof the swinging pivot. In other forms of beam in which the force appliedto the handle pivot tends to tip the beam under the resistance of thehoes in moving from side to side, the vertical axis'of the beam with theframe, requires to be of considerable length in order to resist saidtwisting tendency. With my device, however, the stress acts so readilyin one common plane that the vertical axis of the beam does not requireto be of such extreme length as in the other forms mentioned. This is ofgreat advantage in the manufacture, operation and use of the machine.The hoes when traveling laterally, thus tend to maintain their properinclination instead of canting or tipping from side to side as the beamis thus swung.

In the right hand gang, Fig. 1, only the lever guide improvements areshown applied to the cultivator, whilean ordinary lifting spring isemployed. In the left hand gang, however, the lever liftimprovements areshown as well as thelever guide mechanismbefore described, thuscombining the guide and lift constructions and giving facility ofoperation to the. gang both laterally and vertically. Thus it will beseen that the lever guide or the lever lift may either be usedindependently of they other, or both may be combined in operating thesame gang; also both gangs may be similarly or may be differently fittedout, witheither a part or all of the above described improvements andthus secure either a portion or all of the corresponding advantagesincident to such improvements.

Having thus fully described my invention what I-elaim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a cultivator, the combination with a frame, and a horizontallyswinging beam pivoted thereto, of a plate pivotally attached to saidbeam and rotated horizontally, a handle secured to said plate, and arigid'connection from a fixed portion of the frame to some portion ofthe plate, the point of attachment being adjustable atdilferentdistances from the axis of the plate, whereby the leveragevover the beam in operating the handle may be adjusted to differentratios.

2. In a cultivator, the combination with a frame and a swinging beampivoted; thereto on a vertical axis, of a plate pivoted to said beam andhaving holes at various distances from the pivot, and on eithersidethereof, a crossed connection between said plate and fixed points ofthe machine, and means to rotate said plate, whereby the adjustableleverage is obtained on said beam. p

3. In a cultivator, the combination with a frame having a pipe-boxmounted thereon provided with a vertical stud, and lateral extendinghorns adjacent to the stud, of a swinging beam mounted on said stud, alever pivoted to said beam 'and having lateral extensions on each sideof the pivot, and a crossed connection between said extensions and saidhorns for the purpose described.

l. The herein described pipe-box, the same consisting of a sleevemounted on the frame and provided with a vertical stud and lateralextending horns adjacent thereto.

5. In a cultivator the hereindescribed pipebox, the same consisting of asleeve adapted to be mounted on the frame, and provided with a verticalstud for the cultivator beam, and with lateral extensions affordingpoints of attachment lying in a plane passing sub stantially through theaxis of the stud.

6. In a cultivator, the combination with the frame of a verticallyswinging beam pivoted IIO thereto, of a lever consisting of a winding Isegment pivotally connected to said beam, a flexible connection betweensaid segment and a fixed point of the machine, and means to rotate saidsegment to wind up said connection and lift said beam.

7. In a cultivator, the combination with the frame and a verticallyswinging beam, of a lever handle pivoted to said beam on a horizontalaxis and rising to lift the beam, a ratchet segment adjacent thereto, astop pawl carried by said handle and engaging with said ratchet, a diskor winding segment on said lever handle, and a flexible connectionbetween said disk or winding segment and a fixed point on the machinefor the purpose described.

8. In a cultivator, the combination with the frame and a vertically andhorizontally swinging beam connected therewith, of a plate pivoted tosaid beam on a vertical axis and having a ratchet segment, a handlepivoted to said segment and adapted to be maintained in its adjustedposition thereon, when operating vertically and to oscillate said platehorizontally, an operative connection between said plate and a point onthe machine in line with the horizontal axis of the beam, and anoperative connection between said leverhandle and a point in line withthe vertical axis of the beam, for the purpose described.

9. In a cultivator, the combination with the frame and a vertically andhorizontally swinging beam pivoted thereto, of a plate pivoted to saidbeam on a vertical axis, a handle pivoted to said plate on a horizontalaxis and adapted to oscillate the plate as well as move vertically, andconnections between the frame and said plate andhandlerespectively,whereby the operation of the handle will effect aswinging of the beam in any direction.

10. In a cultivator, the combination with the frame, and cultivatorbeam, and a pipebox mounted on the frame and provided with a verticaland lateral extension adjacent thereto, of a stud collar fitting oversaid stud and constituting a horizontal beam pivot, an oscillating platepivoted to the beam on a vertical axis and having various points ofattachment at equal distances from the pivot thereof, a crossedconnection between said plate and the lateral extensions of the pipebox,a lever handle pivoted to said plate on a horizontal axis and adaptedtooscillate the plate, and a connection between said lever handle andthe vertical stud of the pipeboX substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

ll. In a cultivator, the combination with the frame and a horizontallyswinging beam pivoted thereto, consisting of branches carrying hoes, andconnecting brackets between said branches, of an oscillating platepivoted to said bracket and operative connections between said plate andframe, the said bracket and plate being provided with matching holes orrecesses whereby the same may be interlocked and the oscillation of theplate itself prevented.

12. In a cultivator, the combination with a swinging beam pivotedthereto and having hoes, of a plate pivoted to said beam, a connectionat one side of the pivot of the plate, from said plate to a fixed pointon the machine, the said connection lying in substantially the sameplane as the point to which the swinging beam is pivoted, and means tooscillate said plate, whereby the strain on the beam in swinging fromside to side acts practically on the same level and without tendencytotwist the beam on the pivot point of the machine.

13. In a cultivator, the combination, with a frame and ahorizontallyswinging beam, of a lever handle mounted on a pivot carriedby the beam, and a connection, running from the handle to the frame, onwhich the handle acts, when moved laterally on its pivot, to swing thebeam sidewise.

14. In a cultivator, the combination with a frame and a verticallyswinging beam connected thereto, of a lever handle carried by the beamand operating a segment or winding-surface, and a connection attached tothe frame and adapted to be shortened by being wound on said segment orsurface, and thereby lift the beam.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADDISON W. BUTT.

\Vitn esses:

OLIVER II. MILLER, H. M. PLAISTED.

